"From what I understand, we can go in, but we shouldn't keep these clothes on for too long. I suggest we enter the city and prioritize finding new outfits," Darlius declared.
The rest of the group awaited Simone's response as she pondered the next steps.
After a moment of reflection, Simone said,
"Darlius is right. Either way, we need to blend into the city to scout out the boats best suited for departure. But first, we need more information."
Asti, who had been listening closely, started grumbling as an idea crossed his mind.
"Simone, please don't tell me we're going to have to find jobs in the city. Anything but that, I beg you!" Asti exclaimed.
"Spot on, Asti. You're getting smarter by the day," Simone replied.
"Wait, Simone, work? We'll find something else, won't we?" Darlius interjected.
"What do you think, Darlius? It's a big city. There must be basic shops, medical workshops, and plenty of other opportunities. As long as it's not working for the Chang clan, we'll manage," Aconé said.
"It's settled. But before we go, I want everyone to roll in the mud and smear it on their faces. Then we'll enter the city," Simone ordered.
"Seriously? I don't care what people think of me, but covering myself in mud on purpose? That's humiliating. I have some self-respect, you know," Dina grumbled, her tone clearly laced with disgust.
Hikiri walked over to Tony and sat down beside him.
"So, you planning to stay sprawled out here much longer?" Hikiri asked.
Tony, unable to move his body but still able to speak, replied,
"Sorry, but you're going to have to leave me here."
Hikiri's face showed surprise.
"You want to stay here? From what I can see, you can't move. Want me to carry you?"
"No… it's not worth it. Let's just say I messed up, and now I'm paying the price. I figure it'll take me at least three days to recover to about fifty percent," Tony explained.
"Alright," Hikiri said. He scooped Tony up in his arms and lifted him.
"…I told you, you can leave me here," Tony protested.
"Relax, I'm just putting you over here." Hikiri set Tony down in a small clear space between some bushes.
"Alright, see you in five days, minimum," Tony added.
"But… didn't you say three days? Your condition's starting to mess with your head," Hikiri teased.
"Get lost, you're starting to annoy me," Tony shouted as he watched Hikiri walk away.
"Losing my head, huh? I'm afraid my madness has only gotten worse since I woke up," Tony muttered to himself.
Since waking up, Tony's vision had been fragmented, and he could feel it: he was growing paranoid. Not toward his comrades—he trusted them—but the thought of staying alone in the forest didn't scare him so much as it heightened his wariness about the days ahead.
Meanwhile, Simone, half-covered in mud, wore a conflicted expression.
"It looked better in my head. Now I just feel like someone crapped on me," she said.
"You're telling me," Dina replied, looking at herself with disgust.
Hikiri rejoined the group after finishing his own mud-rolling session. Asti noticed Tony's absence and pointed it out to the others.
"Tony's staying behind for at least five days. That's what he said, not me," Hikiri growled.
"And why the delay?" Lucien asked.
"From what I saw, he's got no strength left. He's completely drained, but we need to give him time to recover," Hikiri explained.
"Enough about Tony. He's tough enough to handle himself anyway. Now let's get into that big city," Aconé concluded.